Administrative law   top

The federal, provincial and municipal governments have created various governmental agencies, ministries, departments, boards and commissions, and given to each of these a specific purpose. If, however, these bodies do less or more than they should, then it is possible to go to court and ask the court to intervene. "Administrative law" is the body of legal principles that are applied when the courts are asked to intervene in the administration of government.

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Gary Bennett

Bankruptcy and Insolvency law   top

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Jim Smith

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Jim Smith, Peter Callahan, Bruce Robertson, Carol Boire, Gary Bennett, Joe Ziemba, Usman A. Bhatti, Ernie Coetzee

Commercial and industrial leasing concerns the drafting, reviewing and negotiating letters of intent, offers to lease and formal leases dealing specifically with complexities arising from commercial and industrial leases. This includes issues related to municipal requirements, taxation issues, environmental issues, leasehold improvements and clarifications as to default and the rights and obligations that arise as a result of a default. Important, as well, are the assignment provisions that are critical in the sale of a business.

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Eric Dionne, Sat Gosal, Usman A. Bhatti, Kamal Mundi Jolly

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Sat Gosal

Jim Smith heads up RZCD's Construction Law Division at the firm. Jim has appeared at all levels of courts and tribunals in Ontario in respect of Construction Lien and related disputes.

Construction Law and related issues cover a wide legal spectrum from tenders, contract drafting and negotiations, preserving and perfecting claims for lien, priority disputes, lost claims and enforcement.

Whether you are an owner, contractor, subcontractor or supplier it is critical that your rights are protected with timely and practical advise in the construction law field.

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Jim Smith

Corporate and commercial law concerns the purchase and sale of businesses, shareholders' agreements, financing matters, securities law issues, commercial agreements and most legal issues affecting day-to-day business activities.

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Eric Dionne, Jim Smith, Sat Gosal, Peter Callahan, Bruce Robertson, Ron Bowman, Usman A. Bhatti, Kamal Mundi Jolly

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Jim Smith, Joe Ziemba

"Employment law" refers to the legal principles that apply to workplaces that are not unionized. If the workplace is unionized, then the principles of labour law apply.

In non-unionized workplaces, if an employer terminates an employment contract during its term (either fixed term or indefinite term), this is described as a "wrongful termination of employment", or a "wrongful dismissal". In such a case, because the employer is in breach of the contract, the employer is required to give the employee "reasonable advance notice" of the termination. If the employer does not give the employee reasonable advance notice, then the employer is liable to pay the employee damages instead. A "wrongful dismissal" lawsuit may be commenced in court as a result.

As well, employees are entitled to certain minimum employment standards as defined under the Ontario Employment Standards Act or the Canada Labour Code.

In some circumstances, as well, employment situations may raise disputes concerning the following: workers' compensation, pension or disability insurance claims, and human rights.

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Carol Boire, Ernie Coetzee, Gary Bennett

Family law   top

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Lyle Belkin, Peter Callahan, Dawn Bennett

Franchise law   top

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Bruce Robertson, Ron Bowman, Kamal Mundi Jolly

Human rights law   top

In Ontario, human rights may be protected by appropriate proceedings launched in the courts or before the Canadian Human Rights Commission or the Ontario Human Rights Commission. These commissions may investigate complaints, and in some circumstances may refer a complaint to be adjudicated upon by a tribunal. The decisions and activities or inactivity of these commissions and tribunals, as well, may be challenged in court. (See "Administrative law".)

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Carol Boire, Ernie Coetzee, Gary Bennett

Immigration law   top

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Usman A. Bhatti

Labour law   top

"Labour law" refers to the legal principles that apply to workplaces that are unionized.

To create or dissolve a union or to unionise a workplace, appropriate applications must be filed with the Ontario Labour Relations Board or the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

Generally, if an employee is a member of a union, then many of that employee's employment rights will be defined in accordance with the collective agreement that the union has signed with the employer. Generally, disputes under the collective agreement are resolved through the grievance process, in which the union will represent the interests of the employees. If a dispute can be resolved under the grievance process defined by the collective agreement, then it usually is not possible to go to court to resolve the dispute.

Although the union is responsible for representing its union members in many disputes, in some circumstances union members may be able to represent themselves or hire their own counsel, such as in matters concerning workers' compensation, pension or disability insurance claims, human rights, or entitlement to minimum employment standards under the Ontario Employment Standards Act or Canada Labour Code.

If the employee is unhappy with the manner in which the union is dealing with the grievance, then the employee may file a complaint with the Canada Industrial Relations Board or the Ontario Labour Relations Board.

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Carol Boire, Ernie Coetzee, Gary Bennett

Municipal law   top

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Sat Gosal

Pension and disability insurance law (including Canada Pension Plan disputes)   top

Pension entitlements may flow from contributions to pension plans that are established by the government (Canada Pension Plan), by employers, or that are privately arranged.

Entitlements to benefits under disability plans may flow from contributions to pension plans that are established by the government (Canada Pension Plan Disability benefits), by employers, or that are privately arranged.

If benefits are denied by a private insurance company, it may be possible to commence a lawsuit against the insurance company.

If benefits are denied under the Canada Pension Plan, it may be possible to appeal the decision. Usually, the appeal commences as a request for a reconsideration. If the reconsideration is denied, it is possible to appeal to the Review Tribunal. If that appeal is unsuccessful, the matter may be appealed to the Pension Appeal Board (which is a panel of three judges).

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Peter Callahan

Personal injury law (including motor vehicle accident litigation) and Tort law   top

Generally, injured persons and their families are entitled to compensation where the injury or death arises as a result of the negligence of other people or organizations.

There are many different causes of personal injuries, such as automobile accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, public transportation accidents, and intentional injuries such as those arising from a physical assault.

For the most part, accident victims are entitled to compensation for pain and suffering, out of pocket expenses, and income losses where the accident was caused by the fault of another. Members of the accident victim's immediate family are also entitled to compensation for loss of care, guidance, companionship and financial support.

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Peter Callahan, Frank Racioppo, Bruce Robertson, Joe Ziemba

Professional discipline law   top

To be a member of a specialised trade or profession, it is often necessary to be licensed by the appropriate licensing body, such as the College of Physicians or Surgeons (for doctors), the Law Society of Upper Canada (for Ontario lawyers), or Ontario Association of Architects (for architects). If a member of such a specialised self-governing profession or trade is disciplined by his or her governing body, then that member may appeal to an appropriate tribunal or to the courts (for proceedings in court, the principles of administrative law would apply).

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Ernie Coetzee, Gary A. Bennett 

Real estate - industrial, commercial and investment   top

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Eric Dionne, Sat Gosal, Lorne Barsky, Bonnie Franklin, Usman A. Bhatti, Kamal Mundi Jolly

Real estate - residential   top

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Eric Dionne, Sat Gosal, Lorne Barsky, Frank Racioppo, Bonnie Franklin, Usman A. Bhatti, Kamal Mundi Jolly

Trade mark agent   top

Eric Dionne is a registered trade mark agent.

Wills and estates   top

Lawyers at RZCD who work in this area: Bruce Robertson, Ron Bowman, Usman A. Bhatti